Venetian blind supporting means



Jan. 3, 1950 J. w. DUNN VENETI'ILN BLIND SUPPORTING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet1 Filed Jan. 16, 1946 INVENTOR.

Jan. 3, 1950 J, w, DUNN 2,493,234

VENET IAN BLIND SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Jan. 16, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV EN TOR.

Jan. 3, 1950 J. w. DUNN 2,493,234

VENETIAN BLIND SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Jan. 16, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Jan. 3, 1950 J. w. DUNN VENETIAN BLIND SUPPORTING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4Filed Jan 16, 1946 1 V EN TOR.

Patented Jan. 3, l95$ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENETIAN BLINDSUPPORTING MEANS John W. Dunn, Alhambra, Calif.

Application January 16, 1946, Serial No. 641,528

7 Claims.

My present invention pertains to the art of Venetian blinds, andinvolves primarily improvements in the type of construction of suchblinds and hardware appurtenant thereto, as embodied in my Patent No.2,413,754, issued January 7, 1947.

In the construction of my Venetian blind improvements as embodied in theabove patent I utilize a customary form of Venetian blind slat unit inwhich the slats are tilted in largely the usual way in order to closeand open the blind. However, the blind unit is peculiarly supported bythe tilt bar and the mounting means for the tilt bar so that theoperating devices for efiecting the tilting movement of the slats maycause a travel movement of the tilt bar inwardly and outwardlyrelatively to the frame of the Window on which the blind is mounted. Thepurpose of this bodily travel movement of the blind is to shift thelatter when it is closed, by tilting the slats to closed position, to ageneral position close to the window frame part, whereby to eliminateany vision openings at the vertical edges of the blind, and oppositetilting of the slats toward open or fully open position effecting amovement of the blind as a unit away from the window frame, at whichtime the matter of vision openings is not important.

, The primary purpose of my present invention has been to improve uponthe hardware supporting and operating parts for the Venetian blind unitby which the tilting of the slats is performed, and by which the blindunit is supported on the frame of the window.

The improved parts of the invention involve primarily the bracket meanswhich are adapted to support the blind unit for its horizontal movementbodily, previously referred to as a travel movement, inwardly andoutwardly relatively to the window frame, with which bracket means coactcertain presently novel forms of travel pinion or gear members directlysupporting the tilt bar, the supporting brackets having rack members theteeth of which coact with said travel compelling pinion or gear members.Another feature of the present improvements lies in the provision ofpeculiar guide members on the movable pinion or gear members that carrythe tilt bar, which guide members coact with stationary parts on thebracket means for preventing the teeth of the gear or pinion membersfrom over-riding beyond the teeth of the rack of the bracket means tothe extent of maintaining the last mentioned parts in a proper relationwhen the Venetian blind unit has moved outwardly toward the window frameto its maximum extent of movement obtained when the slats of the unitare completely closed.

My present improvements also involve other detail parts of the operatingand supporting devices for the blind unit, designed primarily with aview to facilitating manufacture by die casting process.

With the foregoing in view, a full understanding of my invention will behad upon reference to the following detail description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, and in the latter:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a window frame having my blindunit as shown in operative position thereon with the slats open.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of thewindow frame showing the upper end of the blind unit with the hardwareparts for supporting the same, the slats of the unit being shown open.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustrating the tilt bar sotilted as to effect a closing action of the slats of the blind, the tiltbar being shown in its outermost position of extreme movement toward thewindow frame, eliminating any vision openings at the vertical edges ofthe blind and between it and the sides of the frame.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in front elevation showing the blindtilter unit as carried by the head rail usually secured to the top ofthe window frame, and a portion of the tilt bar which is supported bythe tilting unit.

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section showing primarily the parts thatare illustrated in Figure 4 but additionally showing more clearly thebracket means and the traveling pinion or gear members that support thetilt bar or pulley than in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5, but illustrating the tilt barsupporting gear or pinion members in their outermost positions ofmovement as distinguished from Figure 5 that shows these parts with thetilt bar in the innermost position assumed thereby in the use of myinvention.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken about on the line 'l--'l ofFigure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken about on the line 8-8 ofFigure '7.

Figure 9 is a view of the bracket means and the follower pinion or gearmember, showing more clearly the guide member provided on the gear orpinion member to coact with the stationary pin or projection on the sideof the bracket.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view, fragmentary in nature, takenabout on the line lfl--l U of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional view taken on the line I I! I of Figure 10 andbringing out more clearly the means for detachably supporting one end ofthe tilt bar adjacent to the follower pinion or gear unit or member, therectangular pintle member of the tilt bar being shown as when it may bereadily raised and displaced from the socket on the follower pinionmember.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 but showing the 'rotativekeeper of Figure 11 turned into its locking position.

Figure 13 is a sectional View showing the cord guide member on the headrail, the view taken about on the line I3--I3 of Figure 16.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken about on the line I l-I4 of Figure13. v

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken about on the line II5 of Figure 16,showing the mounting of one of the pulleys in the head rail, whichpulley guides one of the blind raising cord members.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary partial front elevation of the upper portionof a window equipped with the blind unit and operating and supportingparts of my invention.

Figure 17 is a top plan view of the tilt bar showing the manner ofattachment of the slat tapes thereto, and the formation of the pintlemembers at opposite ends of saidbar.

Figure 18 is a front elevation of the parts shown in Figure 17, andadditionally showing a couple of the slats that are carried by the tapesattached to the tilt bar.

Proceeding to describe the detail features of my invention, and methodof applying the same the left side of the frame of the window, lookingat the said frame from the inside of the house or dwelling or otherbuilding on which the Window is carried, is located the tilting unit.This unit may be located on the left or right side of the window framesince this makes no difference.

As seen .in Figures and 8, and Figure 16 particularly, the tiltingdevice comprises the usual worm shaft I carrying at its inner end thecustomary cord pulley 2 fixed to said shaft. The tilting cord 3 passesaround the grooved portion of the pulley 2 and the operating ends of thecord 3 are pendant from the tilting unit in the customary way. The wormshaft 1, see Figures '7 and 8, is mounted in a bracket 4 and the worm 5fixed on the shaft I is adapted to turn in the hollow portion of saidbracket designated 6. Mounted in a suitable bearing portion I of thebracket 4 is the worm engaged pinion 8 which is provided with anoifstanding trunnion portion designated 9 at the outer end of which iscarried a travel gear or pinion member I0 fixed to turn with the gear 3.Y

The bracket 4 may be made in complemental sections for the purpose offacilitating die casting of the same, though the bracket may be formed,if desired, of stamped out'parts held together in the same manner as thesections of the die cast parts, namely, by means of pins II, see Figure8. The larger diameter portion of the gear 8, previously called the wormpinion, is embraced between the seotions of the bracket 4 .so as tomaintain the pinion 8 in proper location of operating position on thebracket, in a manner in which it cannot be displaced. The bearingportions I of the bracket 4, provided for the gear 8, are in the form ofslotted portions at the lower ends of the two'sections of the brackets.see Figures 7 and 8 as well as Figure 6. It is therefore possible, uponthe turning of the worm 5 by the pulley 2 and shaft I, for the gear 8 orworm pinion to travel along the worm 5 and longitudinally inwardly oroutwardly of the slot bearings I above referred to. The travel pinion orgear member I9 is disposed exteriorly of the bracket means 4 at one sideof the latter.

One of the complemental parts of the bracket 4, or sections, aspreviously referred to, the right one as seen in Figure 7, is formed atits lower edge portion with an extension I2, which extension is providedwith a flange I3 having a rack composed of a series of teeth designatedI4 formed at its outer edge.

The travel gear or pinion ID is really a gear sector formed with aseries of teeth Illa which are adapted to mesh or engage with the teethI4 .011 the extension !2 at the lower portion of the bracket G.

From the foregoing construction it will be clear that as the worm pinionB is rotated by the worm 5, the travel pinion I 0 would similarly berotated because fixed to the member 8, and the turning of the pinionmember ID will cause 'it to travel along the rack provided by the teethN, as quite clearly depicted in the views Figures 5 and 6.

The worm tilting unit just described constitutes the support for one endof the tilt bar I5, which, as seen in Figures 17 and 18, is equipped atthe said one end, the leftend as viewed, with a square or poly-sidedpintle member I6. The pintle j member I6 is adapted to be interengagedwith a square opening in the trunnion portion 8 of the worm pinion 8,which opening is designated I1.

For supporting the other end of the tilt bar I 5,

the latter is equipped with a poly-sided pintle i member I8 adapted tobemounted in a supporting bracket means such as shown in Figures 9 and 10particularly, the same comprising a simple form of bracket "I9 forcarrying the travel pinion member 20 which is of a general constructionsomewhat similar to the travel pinion member "Ill previously described,except that the follower travel pinion 20 is not provided with theconnected gear 8 as is the pinion member I0, such gear not beingnecessary for my purposes. The pinion member 20, which will be calledthe follower pinion member because it follows the movement of the mainand first described pinion I0, is provided with teeth of a sector ofteeth, designated 2i, and these teeth mesh with teeth 22 providing arack at the lower edge of the bracket I9 below the bearing portion ofthe pinion member 20. The pinion member 20 has a trunnion or hub portion23 which is mounted in a suitable bearing opening in the lower portionof the bracket I8, and held from displacement by means of a washer 24and attachment plate 25. Projecting from the side of the pinion member20 opposite the hub or trunnion portion 23 is a tilt bar supportingmember in the form of a circular projection 26 which is provided with anelongated slot '21. The slot 21 is shaped to conform with the shape ofthe right hand pintle member 18 of'the tilt bar I5, and since the slotis opened to one portion of the periphery of the projection 26, thepintle member I8 may be inserted or removed from the slot 21 at will.For locking the pintle member I8 in the slot 21, however, I utilize akeeper or look member 28 of somewhat circular form interrupted at aportion of its periphery as seen at 280 in Figure 11, so that theinterrupted portion may be brought to register with the outer edgeportion of the pintle member l8, whereupon'the pintle member l8'may bedis-' placed from the projection 26, enabling removal of the tilt bar 15and the supported slat and tape portions of the blind unit bodily fromengagement with the members I and 26, or 20, referring to the followerpinion member. That is to say, when it is desired to detach the Venetianblind unit comprising the tilt bar, slats, and tape, from the supportingbracket means carried by the head rail designated 29, a fingerpiece 30on the keeper 28 will enable manipulation of the latter from theposition of Figure 12 to that of Figure 11, and the tilt bar l may bedetached by first raising the pintle member I8 out of the slot 21, andthereafter pulling the tilt bar I 5 in the direction of the bracket l9to disengage its square pintle member I 6 from the square opening in thepinion member ID, said opening designated ll.

Describing another feature of the pinion member l0, it is notable asseen in Figures 5 and 6, that this member ID is equipped with an arcuateor sector shaped guide member 3| formed with an arc-shaped guide groove32 at one side thereof. Thus, when the pinion member is rotated by thepulley 2 and the tilt cord means 3, to cause that member to travel underthe turning action of the gear 8, to the inner end of the slot bearin 1,if any further rotation of the member I0 is required, it will cause itsguide slot 32 to engage with a pin 3la on one of the sections of thebracket 4, the adjacent section, and allow disengagement of the lasttooth "lb of the member l0 from tooth l4a of the rack flange l3previously described, and on reverse rotation of member I 0 to assurethat tooth l0a of member In reengages between rack teeth of rack flangeit, thus remeshing the teeth of member Ill with the said last teeth inthe same positions as they were prior to disengagement.

The bearing 33 in the bracket l9 supplied for the hub or trunnionportion 23 of the follower pinion member 20 is an elongated slot bearinglike the bearing 1 of the bracket means 4, so that when the pinionmember ID is turned by the gear 8 under the action of the pull cordmeans 3, and travel is imparted through the worm 5 to the gear 8 and thepinion member Ill, a corresponding movement of the pinion member 20 inthe bearing slot 33 will be eifected, and in this manner the tilt bar [5may be moved outwardly relatively to the window frame designated A, orinwardly therefrom, carrying the Venetian blind unit of the tapes andslats along with it in the same direction of movement. The pinion member20 is equipped with a sector of arc-shape, 34, similar to the guidemeans 3| and 32, and formed with a corresponding arc-shaped guide slot35 to coact with a pin 36, all likewise corresponding with theequivalent parts associated with the pinion member ID and for the samepurpose.

The operation of my Venetian blind means, largely comprising the unitmade up of the tilt bar l5 and the tapes a and slats i5b, is practicallythe same, generally speaking, as in respect to the construction in mypreviously mentioned patent, save that the operation is effected bynewly designed parts advantageously arranged and improved upon inaccordance with the disclosure herein.

When the Venetian blind is to be closed, it will be tilted by the bar I5tilting the slats by action of the tapes in the manner shown in Figure3, and as the blind is so closed it will be caused to move bodilyincluding all ofsaid parts 15, I la, and 15b, outwardly toward thewindow frame A. Thereafter, a reverse movement of the tilting device foropening the blind and reversely tilting the slats will effect a bodilymovement of the blind unit per se inwardly away from the frame A of thewindow.

Figure 13 illustrates a cord lock and guide member 36a mounted on thehead rail 29 for guiding one of the raising cords of the blind, and thedetails of this means are illustrated in Figure 14, including the cordlocking member 31 and guiding pulley 38. In Figure 15 a single guidingpulley for another of the raising cords, designated 39, is used. Theparts of Figure 13, and Figures 14 and .15 are largely conventional.

It is apparent that initial rotation of the pinion members may causethem to travel in one direction along the slots of the brackets, andwhen they reach their outer limits of sliding movement they will rotateabout a fixed axis, that of the tilt bar, due to action of the guidemembers3l and3la, and 35 and36.

A movable valance board 40 may be used, but forms no part of the presentinvention.

. My invention is especially adapted for use in connection with presentshallow frame windows such as used on government housing projects, aswell as for windows generally.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In combination, Venetian blind supporting brackets adapted to beattached to opposite sides of a window frame, a Venetian blindcomprising a tilt bar and tiltable slats carried thereby, devicescoacting with the brackets to support the tilt bar for tilting, saiddevices being operable to tilt the slats at one angle and move the blindbodily in one direction, and tilt the slats at an opposite angle andmove the blind bodily in an opposite direction, and means includinginstrumentalities for causing the tilt bar to rotate about a stationaryaxis when it reaches the limit of its bodily movement in one direction,said means comprising elements for holding said tilt bar translationallystationary during said latter rotation.

2. The combination of parts of claim 1, wherein the saidinstrumentalities consist of guide members rotative at the axis of thetilt bar, and parts fixed to the brackets and engageable by the guidemembers.

3. In combination, Venetian blind supporting brackets adapted to beattached to opposite sides of a window frame, a Venetian blindcomprising a tilt bar and tiltable slats carried thereby, devicescoacting with the brackets to support the tilt bar for tilting,comprising pinion members interlocked with the ends of the tilt bar andslidable on the brackets in opposite directions, racks on the bracketshaving teeth to engage those of the pinion members to cause movement ofthe tilt bar and slats in one direction or an opposite directiondepending on the direction of rotation of said pinion members to tiltthe tilt bar, means to rotate the pinion members for sliding travelmovement, and instrumentalities to cause rotative action of the pinionmembers about a stationary axis at a predetermined point in their travelmovement, said instrumentalities comprising an arcuate slot in saidpinion and a pin carried by said bracket and engageable in said slot.

4. Means as claimed in claim 3, in which the rotative action of thepinion members about a zgeesgaee T mid take'si piece at theilirnrt'z ofmovement of said members may from. the. window, and; the'instrumentaiitiesicom'prise guides. disposed on arcs gen'enatedi with:the axis: of; the. pinion: members as a center; and members on the:brackets? engaged by saidiguidesz.

5. A bracket hardware unit for: supporting the tiltbar of a,Venetianblind, comprising, a bracket having a horizontal toothed rack, apinion memher having teeth engaged" with said rack and interlockingly'engageable: with an end; of said tilt bar, a gear onthe brackemsaidbracket having a horizontal slot in which the: gear may slide, and

said? gear being connected with the pinion memher to rotate therewith,and means torotate the gear, wherein said pininrtis provided; with teethfor apredeterminedi portion? of its periphery, and means on another.-portion of: said pinion to coact with said bracket for holding", saidgear translationally stationaryat one: end of travel thereof while:permitting rotation of: said pinion.-

6. Means as claimed in claim 5, in which. the pinion member is formed.with guide means on an are having the axis of: the pinion member andgear as a center, and a; projection on the bracketengageable by'rotativeaction of the guide 81 means of; the pinion" member when; the. lattermoves to apointa approximately at the end: or the said slototthebracket.

'7; A unit as claimed! as. claim 5-, in which the bracket is=made ofcompiemental connected parts 'hol'dingthegeai: betweenithem; a worn:also-held between the said bracket parts and operable to turnthe gear,oneof. said bracket-partshaving. a flange in which th'e't-eeth' oitherack'are'fomned, the-pinion member'being mounted abovethesaidrack-teeth:

J OHiN DUNNL Balthasar' Dec. 10; 13940 Dumr Jan. 7; 194 7 Number

